Security Guard Requirements in Minnesota

Minnesota security guards are under the jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. Protective agent services encompass a variety of business, including those that provide guards, security personnel, and armored car personnel (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/326.338).

 

The professionals who run the security businesses, either as proprietors or ‘qualified representatives’, must hold state licensing.

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Security agency employees are not licensed but must meet requirements set at the state level. Requirements are higher for employees who will be armed.

Security Guard Career Profile Minnesota

Minnesota Security Guards provide a key service in guarding, patrolling, and monitoring premises against theft, violence, fire, terrorism, and criminal activity. Job responsibilities and duties vary within the field depending on position and security industry. Some security guard positions in Minnesota include federal contract guards, nuclear security officers, armored car guards, correctional officers, casino security officers, court security officers, transportation service officers, industrial security guards, mall and  retail security guards, building security guards, seaport security guards, airport security guards, campus security guards, hospital security guards special event security guards and many other types of security guards working in the security industry.

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Minnesota Security Guard Training Licensing Requirements

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY LICENSING OR REGISTRATION FOR SECURITY GUARDS.  HOWEVER, THE SECURITY AGENCY EMPLOYER WILL ISSUE BACKGROUND TEST, TRAINING AND PICTURE I.D.

STATE OF MINNESOTA BOARD OF PRIVATE DETECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE AGENT SERVICES

1430 Maryland Ave E 
St Paul MN 55106-2802 

Requirements and Procedures for Application 

The State of Minnesota requires licensing for Private Detectives and Protective Agents services, as defined in Minnesota Statutes §326.32 to §326.339. The following is an overview of the requirements and procedures for licensing. 

WHO CAN APPLY: Sole Proprietor (Individual), Partnership/LLP, or Corporation/Limited Liability Company (LLC) 

 An Individual is a person making application for a private detective or protective agent license as a sole proprietor, and is the day-to-day manager and supervisor of the licensed activity. (It is not an employee of a licensed firm.) This person may or may not have employees. NOTE: A person who has a corporation relating to the business cannot be licensed as an individual and must apply as the corporation.

 A Partnership or Corporation/LLC with a QUALIFIED REPRESENTATIVE candidate (an individual who is the day-to-day manager and supervisor of the licensed activity in a partnership or corporation). 

A MINNESOTA MANAGER is required when the license applicant (partnership, corporate/LLC) is based outside Minnesota and plans a business location within Minnesota to regularly conduct business. 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Listed below are some of the basic requirements for all applicants (including Qualified Representatives, Minnesota Managers, and all parties required to sign the application form): 

Each person signing the application must be at least 18 years of age.

 Each person must have a record free of felony convictions and no record of convictions of offenses identified in statute (see Minn. Stat. §326.3381 subd. 3 (1)).

 A $10,000 Surety Bond (private detective or protective agent) at the time of application. Acceptable Proof of Financial Responsibility documentation (see Minn. Stat. §326.3382 subd. 3 (c), with options referenced in §326.3382 subd. 3 (d), (e), or (f)).

 Complete required application materials and supporting documents.

 Be of good character, honesty, and integrity.

 Mandatory employment experience.

https://dps.mn.gov/entity/pdb/Pages/general-licensing-information.aspx

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2021 Minnesota Statutes

326.338 PERSONS ENGAGED AS PRIVATE DETECTIVES OR PROTECTIVE AGENTS.

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Subdivision 1.Private detective.

 

Persons who for a fee, reward, or other consideration, undertake any of the following acts for the purpose of obtaining information for others are considered to be engaged in the business of a private detective:

(1) investigating crimes or wrongs done or threatened against the government of the United States or of any state, county, or municipal subdivision thereof;

(2) investigating the identity, habits, conduct, movements, whereabouts, transactions, reputation, or character of any person or organization;

(3) investigating the credibility of witnesses or other persons;

(4) investigating the location or recovery of lost or stolen property;

(5) investigating the origin of and responsibility for libels, losses, accidents, or damage or injuries to persons or property;

(6) investigating the affiliation, connection, or relationship of any person, firm, or corporation with any organization, society, or association, or with any official, representative, or member thereof;

(7) investigating the conduct, honesty, efficiency, loyalty, or activities of employees, persons seeking employment, agents, or contractors and subcontractors;

(8) obtaining through investigation evidence to be used before any authorized investigating committee, board of award, board of arbitration, administrative body, or officer or in preparation for trial of civil or criminal cases; or

(9) investigating the identity or apprehension of persons suspected of crimes or misdemeanors.

Subd. 2.

 

[Repealed, 1987 c 360 s 26]

Subd. 3.

 

[Repealed, 1987 c 360 s 26]

Subd. 4.Protective agent.

 

A person who for a fee, reward, or other valuable consideration undertakes any of the following acts is considered to be engaged in the business of protective agent:

(1) providing guards, private patrol, or other security personnel to protect persons or their property or to prevent the theft, unlawful taking of goods, merchandise, or money, or to prevent the misappropriation or concealment of goods, merchandise, money, or other valuable things, or to procure the return of those things;

(2) physically responding to any alarm signal device, burglar alarm, television camera, still camera, or a mechanical or electronic device installed or used to prevent or detect burglary, theft, shoplifting, pilferage, losses, or other security measures;

(3) providing armored car services for the protection of persons or property;

(4) controlling motor traffic on public streets, roads, and highways for the purpose of escorting a funeral procession and oversized loads; or

(5) providing management and control of crowds for the purpose of safety and protection.

 

A person covered by this subdivision may perform the traffic-control duties in clause (4) in place of a police officer when a special permit is required, provided that the protective agent is first-aid qualified.